Abstract: The collection consists of the records of San Francisco's Congregation Sherith Israel from circa 1851 to 2003. Included are
administrative records; correspondence; financial records; building and property records; cemetery records; membership records;
religious school records; confirmation and bar/bat mitzvah records; materials relating to the congregation's rabbis and cantors;
files relating to liturgy, services, and holidays; records of the congregation's Sisterhood and Brotherhood; subject files;
newsletters; scrapbooks; and photographs.

Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English, German, and Hebrew.

Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information
on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Information for Researchers

Access

Collection is open to researchers.

Publication Rights

All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head
of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 94720-6000. Consent is given on behalf of The
Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright
owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner. See:
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html.

Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research
and educational purposes.All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted
in writing to the Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 94720-6000. Consent is
given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission
from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner. See:
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html.

Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research
and educational purposes.

San Francisco's Congregation Sherith Israel has its roots in the Gold Rush era immigration and migration of Jews from Prussia,
Bavaria, England, France and the East Coast of the United States. By the end of 1850, these Jewish San Franciscans had founded
two benevolent societies, established a cemetery, worshipped together on the High Holidays, and were considering creating
a formal congregation. They managed to come together briefly but soon split into two groups: the English and North Germans,
who demanded that worship in the new congregation adhere to the Minhag Polen (the Polish rite), and the primarily Bavarian
Jewish immigrants, who wished to worship according to the Minhag Ashkenaz (the traditional German rite). In 1851, the first
group formed Congregation Sherith Israel and the second formed the other of San Francisco's leading congregations, Emanu-El.
Sherith Israel built is first synagogue on Stockton Street, between Broadway and Vallejo, in 1854. In 1870, having outgrown
its first building, the congregation moved into an impressive Gothic style synagogue on Post and Taylor Streets. It was here,
in its home on Post and Taylor Streets, that Sherith Israel began to take steps away from its Orthodox roots and toward Reform.
This movement towards Reform was helped along by two of Sherith Israel's most prominent rabbis, Henry Vidaver and Jacob Nieto.
In 1902, the congregation purchased the site of its current synagogue at California and Webster Streets. Albert Pissis, a
prominent San Francisco architect, was immediately hired to design the new building. In 1905, the synagogue, with its noteworthy
stained glass windows, elaborate frescoes, and Murray Harris organ, was consecrated. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake and
fire spared Sherith Israel's new building, causing only minor damage. The synagogue was actually used as a courthouse after
the calamity and played host to Abe Ruef's notorious corruption trial. Rabbis who served Sherith Israel during the years documented
by this collection are as follows: Henry A. Henry (1857-1869), Aaron Messing (1870-1873), Henry A. Vidaver (1874-1882), Falk
Vidaver (1883-1892), Jacob Nieto (1893-1930), Jacob Weinstein (1930-1932), Morris Goldstein (1932-1972), and Martin Weiner
(1972-2003).

Scope and Content of Collection

The collection consists of the records of Congregation Sherith Israel from circa 1851 to 2003. Included are administrative
materials, such as bylaws, meeting minutes (dating to 1851), and reports; correspondence, including Board of Trustees correspondence
dating back to the middle of the 1860s; financial records, including ledgers, journals, daybooks, cashbooks, warrant lists,
and financial reports from the 1860s through the 1930s (though a few financial records date to the 1850s); a small series
of building and property records; the records of Sherith Israel's cemeteries, Giboth Olam (located in what is now Mission
Dolores Park from 1860 though 1889) and Hills of Eternity (located in Colma); membership records, including files on members
arranged by surname and seat deeds and seat registers; records of Sherith Israel's religious school; confirmation and bar/bat
mitzvah records; some materials relating to the rabbis and cantors of Sherith Israel, including some of Jacob Nieto's correspondence;
the congregation's marriage records, including marriage contract books (dating back to 1859), certificate stub books, and
marriage authorizations; records relating to Sherith Israel's liturgy, services, and holiday observances; records of the congregation's
Sisterhood and Brotherhood; two sets of Temple Subject Files that date back to 1900 but mostly document the concerns and activities
of the congregation from the 1940s through the 1970s; issues of Sherith Israel's newsletter dating to 1927; a set of scrapbooks
and scrapbook pages that document Sherith Israel's publicity as well as activities of the Sisterhood and other congregational
clubs and groups; and photographs.

Container List

This series consists of materials relating to the governance and administration of Congregation Sherith Israel from 1851 through
the 1980s. Most of the materials date from the 1870s through the 1960s. Particularly noteworthy are the Board Meeting Minutes,
which date back to the founding of the congregation in 1851. The minutes from the period between 1857 and 1866 are missing,
but the run is complete from 1867 up through 1965. The minutes document the month to month decision making of the Board and
often include related documents, such as presidential reports, and important details about congregational life. Also included
in this series are the President's Annual Reports and the Secretaries Annual Reports, both of which document the ups and downs
of administering Sherith Israel. The files of President's Annual Reports in this series include scattered Reports dating from
1877 to 1974. Note that the minute books sometimes contain the President's Annual Reports and may include some missing from
the files below. The Board Resolutions included in this series sometimes honor departed members of the congregation and at
other times document controversies in the history of the congregation, including an 1872 dispute with Rabbi Aaron Messing
and a 1910 decision over male head covering in the sanctuary. Other notable files in this series include the file of Early
Employment Contracts, which includes an 1857 contract for Phillip Born to serve as Shamash and Collector for the congregation,
the file on the Special Committees to Investigate Charges, which consists of committee reports on charges against members
and employees of the congregation, and the files of administrative materials from the First Hebrew Benevolent Society.

Carton 1, Folder 1-2

Historical essays and materials, 1904-1981

Volume 1

Constitution and By Laws, 1870

Carton 1, Folder 3

Constitution and By Laws [original draft], 1850-1880

Carton 1, Folder 4

Constitution and By Laws, 1871

Carton 1, Folder 5

Constitution and By Laws, 1889, 1893

Oversize Box 2, Folder 4

Constitution and By Laws (with annotations and resolutions), 1893-1911

The Correspondence series consists of correspondence to and from Sherith Israel's Board of Trustees and Executive Director
dating from 1866 to 1989. No correspondence from the 1850s and early 1860s seems to have survived. Most of the correspondence
is addressed to the congregation's secretary (mainly Alexander L. Badt) or the congregation's president (though there is also
some Rabbinical correspondence scattered throughout). The bulk of the Board correspondence dates from the 1880s through the
1940s. Note that Board correspondence from 1866 through the 1930s is arranged in chronological order. After 1940, the Board
kept an alphabetical file of correspondence arranged by surname of correspondent or surname of the person of interest (often
deceased) in the correspondence. The Board correspondence documents all facets of congregational life, including member relations,
the hiring of Rabbis and Cantors (especially around 1873 and 1892-1893) and other staff, building and property management,
financial transactions, congregational controversies and disputes, and cemetery administration. There is little correspondence
in the collection documenting the history of the congregation between 1960 and 1980. After 1980, the correspondence is primarily
that of the congregation's executive directors.

This series of financial records documents the financial history of Sherith Israel from the mid-1850s through the 1980s, with
the bulk of the material dating from the 1870s through the 1930s. Of particular note is the almost complete set of ledgers,
journals, daybooks and cashbooks from the mid 1863 through 1921. These volumes record not only important financial data but
also a great number of other details of congregational activity, including membership information and cemetery information
(including burials). The ledgers are arranged by account (member) name and after the 1880s or so sometimes include alphabetical
lists of members at the end of the volume. Also included in this series are the monthly reports of the congregation's Secretary
and Collector, monthly lists of warrants (checks) paid, and some invoices, bills and billheads. The invoices and bills paid
are arranged chronologically by year and document the relationship of the congregation with San Francisco merchants, craftsmen,
and contractors. Those that pre-date the 1906 earthquake and fire might be particularly useful to researchers interested in
reconstructing the business world of 19th-century San Francisco.

Volume 14

Ledger, October 1863-October 1865

Volume 15

Ledger, October 1865-September 1868

Volume 16

Ledger, October 1868-October 1870

Volume 17

Ledger, October 1870-January 1873

Volume 18

Ledger, January 1873-January 1877

Volume 19

Ledger, January 1877-November 1878

Volume 20

Ledger, November 1878-October 1885

Volume 21

Ledger, October 1885-October 1889

Volume 22

Ledger, October 1890-September 1893

Volume 23

Ledger, October 1893-September 1897

Volume 24

Ledger, October 1897-September 1902

Volume 25

Ledger, October 1902-September 1907

Volume 26

Ledger, October 1907-January 1912

Volume 27

Ledger, January 1912-October 1916

Volume 28

Ledger, October 1916-October 1921

Volume 29

Journal, May 1889-November 1890

Volume 30

Journal, October 1890-September 1899

Volume 31

Journal, October 1899-December 1905

Volume 32

Journal, January 1906-December 1911

Volume 33

Journal, January 1912-September 1919

Volume 34

Journal, October 1919-December 1923

Volume 35

Journal, January 1924-August 1928

Volume 36

Journal (included with School Board Minutes and Cemetery Day Book), September 1928-November 1935

Volume 37

Journal, December 1935-December 1936

Volume 38

Daybook, October 1863-June 1869

Volume 39

Daybook, July 1869-January 1874

Volume 40

Daybook, January 1874-December 1876

Volume 41

Daybook, January 1877-May 1889

Carton 89, Folder 1

Daybook, October 1891-October 1896

Carton 89, Folder 2

Daybook, October 1896-September 1900

Carton 89, Folder 3

Daybook, October 1900-September 1903

Volume 42

Daybook, October 1907-December 1910

Volume 43

Daybook, January 1911-December 1914

Volume 44

Daybook, January 1915-March 1919

Volume 45

Daybook, April 1919-September 1923

Carton 89, Folder 4

Daybook, October 1923-May 1930

Volume 46

Cashbook, October 1878-November 1879

Volume 47

Cashbook, October 1879-July 1883

Volume 48

Cashbook, August 1883-January 1890

Volume 49

Cashbook, January 1890-September 1895

Volume 50

Cashbook, October 1895-September 1901

Volume 51

Cashbook, October 1901-September 1907

Volume 52

Cashbook, October 1907-December 1912

Volume 53

Cashbook, January 1913-May 1918

Volume 54

Cashbook, June 1918-November 1921

Volume 55

Treasurer's Account Book, October 1855-October 1885

Volume 56

Treasurer's Account Book, April 1906-February 1916

Oversize Box 6

Accounts Receivable Book, December 1859-April 1877

Carton 11, Folder 11

Committee on Finance, 1891-1902

Carton 11, Folder 12-24

Report of Collections, 1887-1899

Carton 12, Folder 1-20

Report of Collections, 1900-1919

Carton 12, Folder 21-24

Secretary's Monthly Reports, 1891-1894

Carton 13, Folder 1-37

Secretary's Monthly Reports, 1895-1936

Carton 13, Folder 38-40

Monthly Cash Statements, 1941-1943

Carton 13, Folder 41

Monthly Financial Reports, 1946-1950

Carton 13, Folder 42-82

Monthly Warrant Lists, 1891-1932

Carton 14, Folder 1-7

Monthly Warrant Lists, 1933-1943

Carton 14, Folder 8

Invoices, Bills Paid, Billheads, 1867-1879

Carton 14, Folder 9

Invoices, Bills Paid, Billheads, 1880

Carton 14, Folder 10-33

Invoices, Bills Paid, Billheads, 1888-1895

Carton 15, Folder 1-35

Invoices, Bills Paid, Billheads, 1895-1901

Carton 16, Folder 1-26

Invoices, Bills Paid, Billheads, 1902-1908

Carton 17, Folder 1-30

Invoices, Bills Paid, Billheads, 1908-1913

Carton 18, Folder 1-28

Invoices, Bills Paid, Billheads, 1913-1919

Carton 19, Folder 1-34

Invoices, Bills Paid, Billheads, 1919-1927

Carton 20, Folder 1-10

Invoices, Bills Paid, Billheads, 1927-1929

Carton 20, Folder 11-21

Payment Stub Books, 1891-1893

Carton 21, Folder 1-5

Payment Stub Books, 1893-1896

Carton 21, Folder 6-7

First Hebrew Benevolent Society assorted financial records, 1893-1898

Carton 21, Folder 8-10

External accountant reports, 1892-1914

Carton 21, Folder 11

Donation cards--Yom Kippur Galveston, Texas Relief, 1901

Carton 21, Folder 12

Subscription cards--Sunday Lecture Series, 1911-1912

Carton 21, Folder 13

Resolution to issue bonds to raise funds, 1893

Carton 21, Folder 14

Will of Minne Victor, 1948

Carton 21, Folder 15

Will of Martha Jacoby, 1947

Carton 21, Folder 16

Will of Fanny Hasterlick, 1939

Carton 21, Folder 17

Will of Laura Goodman, 1939

Carton 21, Folder 18

Will of Esther Cohn, 1939

Carton 21, Folder 19

Estate of William Wolf, 1914

Carton 21, Folder 20-23

Estate of Godel Speier, 1905-1950

Carton 21, Folder 24-25

Insurance, Stocks, and Bonds, 1907-1969

Carton 22, Folder 1-2

Insurance, Stocks, and Bonds, 1907-1969

Carton 22, Folder 3

Hospitalization Insurance, 1957-1966

Carton 22, Folder 4-11

Balance Sheets, Financial Statements, Budget materials, 1979-1985

Carton 22, Folder 12

Receipts and Disbursements, 1898-1899

Carton 22, Folder 13-14

Cemetery Financial Statements, 1983-1984

Carton 22, Folder 15

Financial, Miscellaneous, 1957-1958

Series 4:
Building and Property. circa 1854-1958

Physical Description:
Carton 87; Oversize Folder 1B

Scope and Content

This series consists of a carton and one oversize folder of materials on Sherith Israel's buildings and properties dating
from the 1850s through the 1950s. Included are mortgage documents, abstracts of title, committee records, files on the sale
of various properties, contract and bids for work done on various buildings and properties, and a few architectural drawings
and plans, including plans for new Torah Arc and Organ (1904), plans for addition of an elevator (1935), and plans for a third
addition to the Mausoleum (1941).

Carton 87, Folder 1

Specifications for a Synagogue for the Congregation Sherith Israel (photocopy), circa 1854

This series consists of the records of Sherith Israel's cemetery. The records date from 1860, the year the congregation opened
its Giboth Olam cemetery at 19th Street and Dolores in San Francisco (now the site of Mission Dolores Park). An earlier cemetery,
used from 1850-1860, stood on Vallejo Street, between Gough and Franklin. In 1889 (11 years before the city of San Francisco
outlawed burials within the city), Sherith Israel would begin the process of relocating its cemetery to Colma, just south
of the city in San Mateo County. This cemetery, still in operation, is called Hills of Eternity. The records in this series
include Cemetery Superintendent Reports dating from 1890 to 1952, burial permits (and, by the 1930s, cremation permits) dating
back to 1861 and continuing uninterrupted through 1943, plot deeds, plot books, and plot ledgers. These cemetery records document
not only the history of a Jewish cemetery but also the history of San Francisco cemeteries and their relocation to Colma at
the turn of the century. Noteworthy is a Record Book of Internments, which includes an original 1860 listing of internments
and a 1903 reconstruction of internments in the Giboth Olam Cemetery done by congregation's secretary Alexander L. Badt. Note
also the disinterment and removal permits and other records documenting the move of Sherith Israel's cemetery to Colma between
1889 and 1895 and the funeral notices (1930-1961).

This series consists of records relating to Sherith Israel's membership. Included are membership files (arranged by surname),
information about dues, some membership applications, lists and rolls of members, seat deeds, seat registers (documenting
the holders of seats in different areas of the synagogue). The membership files, some of which contain many items and others
of which contain just one or two items, include a variety of documents, including membership applications, resignations, correspondence
between members and the congregational administrators or Board, financial records, and cemetery records. Early records include
a Donation Book of Temple Members from 1862. Membership information from the 1850s must be gleaned from financial administrative
records.

This series is made up of records relating to the administration of Sherith Israel's Religious School dating from 1870 to
1976. Included are early prayer booklets and other printed material, including Hebrew language instruction materials, for
use in the Religious School (some compiled by Sherith Israel's rabbis), lists of pupils dating back to 1870, School Board
minutes from 1870-1871 and 1896-1903, School Committee reports and materials, and Religious School Subject Files.

School Board minutes (bound with other materials), November 1870-August 1871

Carton 89, Folder 6

School Board minutes, 1896-1903

Carton 55, Folder 1

School Committee Reports, circa 1889-1935

Carton 55, Folder 2-5

Education Committee materials, 1960-1977

Carton 55, Folder 6

Religious School correspondence, 1920-1929

Carton 55, Folder 7-8

Religious School, general, 1974-1976

Carton 55, Folder 9

Brochures and Pamphlets, circa 1950-1959

Carton 55, Folder 10

Morning Service for the New Year, circa 1955

Carton 55, Folder 11-16

Class Lists, circa 1965-1970

Carton 55, Folder 17

Roll Book, circa 1970-1975

Carton 55, Folder 18-26

Attendance Reports, circa 1920-1965

Carton 55, Folder 27-28

Pupil Enrollment Cards, A-E, circa 1925-1930

Carton 56, Folder 1-6

Pupil Enrollment Cards, F-Z, circa 1925-1930

Cardfile Box 1

Pupil Enrollment Cards, A-Gold circa 1930-1969

Cardfile Box 2

Pupil Enrollment Cards, Goldb-Lon circa 1930-1969

Cardfile Box 3

Pupil Enrollment Cards, Lor-Ster circa 1930-1969

Cardfile Box 4

Pupil Enrollment Cards, Ster-Z circa 1930-1969

Carton 56, Folder 7-8

Pupil Enrollment Cards, circa 1965-1972

Carton 56, Folder 9-12

Sherith Israelite (Religious School Newsletter), 1934-1958

Subseries 7.2
Religious School Subject Files. circa 1955-1975

Physical Description:
Carton 56, folders 13-29; Cartons 57-58

Carton 56, Folder 13

Accreditation, circa 1955-1975

Carton 56, Folder 14

Athletic Program, circa 1955-1975

Carton 56, Folder 15

Attendance Awards, circa 1955-1975

Carton 56, Folder 16

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Information, circa 1955-1975

Carton 56, Folder 17

Basketball, circa 1955-1975

Carton 56, Folder 18

Blue Star Book Club, circa 1955-1975

Carton 56, Folder 19

Book Reports, circa 1955-1975

Carton 56, Folder 20

Bureau of Jewish Education Affiliation, circa 1955-1975

Carton 56, Folder 21

Camperships, circa 1955-1975

Carton 56, Folder 22-23

Camp Swig, circa 1955-1975

Carton 56, Folder 24

Chanukah Contest Winners, circa 1955-1975

Carton 56, Folder 25

Choir, circa 1955-1975

Carton 56, Folder 26

Class Officers, circa 1955-1975

Carton 56, Folder 27

Clubs, circa 1955-1975

Carton 56, Folder 28

Consecration, circa 1955-1975

Carton 56, Folder 29

Couples Club, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 1

Cradle Roll, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 2

Curriculum Report, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 3

D Miscellaneous, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 4

DATAK stencils circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 5

E Miscellaneous, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 6

F Miscellaneous, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 7

Faculty Applications, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 8

Faculty Weekend, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 9

Fineman, Irving, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 10

Fire Drills, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 11

H Miscellaneous, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 12

High School Graduation, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 13

Holy Days, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 14

House Committee, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 15-18

Keren Ami, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 19-20

Merit Award Program, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 21

Midweek Hebrew, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 22

Military Draft, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 21

Midweek Hebrew, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 23-26

Nietons (teen group), circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 27

Ninth Grade Dance, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 28

Open School Day, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 29

Oratorical Contest, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 30

P Miscellaneous, circa 1955-1975

Carton 57, Folder 31

Parents, Communications with, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 1

Parents Meetings, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 2

Poster Contest, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 3

Programs, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 4-7

Purim, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 8

Quality Flower Shop, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 9

R Miscellaneous, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 10

Reform Jewish Appeal, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 11

Remodeling Classrooms, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 12

Report Card Instructions, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 13

S Miscellaneous, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 14

Sabbath Dinners, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 15

Sallah, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 16

School Paper, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 17

School Plans, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 18

School Programs, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 19

Services, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 20

Sisterhood, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 21

Ski Trip, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 22-24

Student Awards, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 25

Student Council circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 26

Subscriptions, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 27

Surveys (UAHC and BJE), circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 28

T Miscellaneous, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 29

Teachers' Conference, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 30

Tu B'Shvat, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 31

Trees in Israel, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 32

U Miscellaneous, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 33

UAHC, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 34

W Miscellaneous, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 35

X, Y, Z Miscellaneous, circa 1955-1975

Carton 58, Folder 36

Youth Committee, circa 1955-1975

Series 8:
Confirmation and Bar/Bat Mitzvah. 1893-1991

Physical Description:
Cartons 59-60

Scope and Content

This series consists of records relating to the Confirmation and Bar/Bat Mitzvah programs at Congregation Sherith Israel.
The records date from 1893 to 1991 and include confirmation certificate stubs from 1908 to 1981 (with name of confirmant and
date of confirmation); programs and materials from confirmation classes and ceremonies, mainly from the mid-1930s through
the mid-1970s, but with some scattered materials from the 1920s; and Bar and Bat Mitzvah certificate stubs (with name and
date) from 1901-1916 and 1935-1979.

Confirmant's Manual and Order of Service booklet (both from Mizpah Congregation in Chattanooga, Tennessee), 1893

Carton 60, Folder 12

Confirmation Certificate for Avril Greenberg, 1970

Carton 60, Folder 13

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Certificate Stubs, 1901-1916

Carton 60, Folder 14-18

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Certificate Stubs, 1935-1979

Carton 60, Folder 19

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Programs, 1975-1991

Series 9:
Rabbis and Cantors. 1874-1976

Physical Description:
Carton 61; Carton 62, folders 1-16

Scope and Content

This series consists of files relating to the rabbis and cantors of Sherith Israel. These files contain records created by
various rabbis and cantors as well as biographical materials collected by the congregation over the years. The files relating
to Rabbi Jacob Nieto include correspondence, some manuscripts of sermons and articles, and genealogical information. The files
pertaining to Rabbi Morris Goldstein contain correspondence, certificates and honors, and manuscripts of book projects.

Carton 61, Folder 1

"Duties of the Chazan, Reader or Cantor of the Congregation Sherith Israel," 1879

This series consists of the marriage records of Congregation Sherith Israel dating from 1859 to 1964. Included are marriage
contract books from 1859 through 1901. These include names of bride and groom, witnesses, and rabbi who performed the ceremony.
The earliest marriage contract book (1859-1871) also includes an inserted document with marriages recorded in the first minute
book. Also in this series are marriage certificate stub books (with names of bride and groom and dates) from 1905 through
1957; some marriage certificates dating mostly from 1887 to 1903; and marriage authorizations from 1888 to 1964. Marriage
authorization permits were documents from the Congregation's Board to the rabbi authorizing the marriage of a given couple.

Oversize Box 14

Marriage Contracts Book, 1859-1871

Oversize Box 14

Marriage Contracts Book, 1871-1881

Volume 68

Marriage Contracts Book, 1882-1887

Volume 69

Marriage Contracts Book, 1887-1892

Volume 70

Marriage Contracts Book, 1892-1898

Volume 71

Marriage Contracts Book, 1898-1901

Oversize Box 12

Marriage Certificate Stub Book, 1905-1909

Oversize Box 12

Marriage Certificate Stub Book, 1909-1917

Carton 90

Marriage Certificate Stub Book, 1917-1922

Carton 90

Marriage Certificate Stub Book, 1922-1928

Carton 90

Marriage Certificate Stub Book, 1928-1936

Carton 91

Marriage Certificate Stub Book, 1936-1941

Carton 91

Marriage Certificate Stub Book, 1941-1945

Carton 91

Marriage Certificate Stub Book, 1945-1949

Carton 91

Marriage Certificate Stub Book, 1949-1953

Carton 91

Marriage Certificate Stub Book, 1953-1957

Oversize Box 15, Folder 1-4

Marriage Certificates, circa 1887-1903

Carton 62, Folder 17

Marriage Certificates (loose), 1902, 1952

Carton 62, Folder 18

Marriage Certificates and Program for wedding of Jennie Newman and Adolph Solomon, 1887

Carton 62, Folder 19

Marriage Authorizations Stub Book, 1888-1900

Carton 62, Folder 20

Marriage Authorizations (loose), circa 1890-1900

Carton 62, Folder 21-22

Marriage Authorizations, 1900-1910

Oversize Box 13

Marriage Authorizations, 1908-1917

Oversize Box 13

Marriage Authorizations, 1917-1921

Oversize Box 11

Marriage Authorizations, 1921-1928

Oversize Box 11

Marriage Authorizations, 1928-1937

Oversize Box 13

Marriage Authorizations, 1937-1942

Carton 90

Marriage Authorizations Book, 1942-1947

Carton 90

Marriage Authorizations Book, 1947-1953

Carton 90

Marriage Authorizations Book, 1953-1964

Carton 62, Folder 23

Wedding Invitations, 1860, 1861

Series 11:
Liturgy, Services, and Holidays. 1874-1991

Physical Description:
Cartons 63-64; Carton 65, Folders 1-6

Scope and Content

This series consists of materials relating to Sherith Israel's liturgy, its services, and various holidays. Included are some
records of the Ritual Committee, Sherith Israel's Order of Service, various prayer books and booklets, files on special services,
Books of Remembrance (created at Yom Kippur), and some tickets and ticket stub books to services at the Congregation. Note
that the Etz Hayim for Congregation Sherith Israel (by Neta Ettinger) includes a list of early congregation members with English
and Hebrew names.

Carton 63, Folder 1

Ritual Committee, 1890, 1892, 1950

Oversize Box 18

Etz Chayyim for Congregation Sherith Israel, by Neta Ettinger of New York, 1853-1854

This series consists of records of Sherith Israel's Sisterhood and Brotherhood (earlier known as the Women's Auxiliary and
the Men's Club). The Sisterhood's records include board meeting minutes, membership meeting minutes, and a chronological file
(1911-1980). The Sisterhood's records document the roles, responsibilities, and concerns of women in Congregation Sherith
Israel and in the larger religious and civic community. The Brotherhood's records include some early Men's Club materials
(1904-1955) and files documenting the Brotherhood's activities and its relationship to the National Federation of Temple Brotherhoods.

This series consists of two subseries of Temple Subject Files. The first dates from 1900-1959 and the second dates from 1959-1980.
These files appear to have been kept by the administrative staff of the congregation, though some of the rabbis' subject files
seem to have been interfiled in these larger sets of subject files.

Photographs in the collection include images of the exteriors of the various synagogues of Sherith Israel; interior photographs;
photographs of prominent Rabbis, Cantors, and Board members; and religious school and confirmation class photographs. There
are a number of unidentified group and individual photographs. Also included are 3 cartons and two oversize boxes of photographs
on plaques. Most of these date from the 1970s and the 1980s and include group portraits of religious school classes, confirmation
classes, board members, and significant events (such as celebrations of a rabbi's anniversary).

Carton 84, Folder 5, Oversize Box 19, Folder 2

Exteriors, circa 1855-1945

Carton 84, Folder 6-7, Oversize Box 19, Folder 2

Interiors, circa 1940-1975

Carton 84, Folder 8

Rabbis Falk and Henry Vidaver, circa 1880-1893

Carton 84, Folder 9

Interior of Sherith Israel (Post and Taylor) for Memorial to President McKinley, 1901

Portrait of an unidentified "Sam" taken in Manila (circa 1900), a group portrait of a reunion of Company I or Company J taken
in Martinez, California 16 years after the Spanish-American War (1916), and an unidentified event photograph (circa 1900).